Also consider a thrombosed vein at work (you gotta go and have a good look). Different than the follicle: same grief, different treatment approach.

I got two, and not yet wanting to exercise the surgical option and its associated downtime, I just deal with it. Lidex is my friend.

No saddle/shorts/hygiene can fix this.

Regarding getting the "clean," one afflicted domestic pro says he wipes pre&post ride with straight isopropyl. Says getting dry like that helps. It does make sense.